41 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camp Reinberg accommodates pets at its tent sites, RV spots, and cabins with clean facilities and miles of connected hiking and biking trails through Deer Grove Forest Preserve. Located in Palatine, this Cook County Forest Preserve campground provides free firewood with additional bundles available for purchase. The shower facilities remain exceptionally clean with 24-hour staff available to assist campers. Sites are mulched and relatively close together, but the surrounding trail system offers ample space for dogs to explore. Camp Reinberg's location provides easy access to nearby stores and restaurants while maintaining a natural setting perfect for a quick getaway from Chicago with your pet.
Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park and Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort both welcome pets with varied accommodation options including tent sites, RV spots, and cabins. The beach areas at Illinois Beach State Park feature more pebbles than sand, making it easier on sensitive paw pads while exploring the shoreline. Trails throughout the parks accommodate daily pet walks, though some bike paths near the beach may be covered with sand requiring special tires. When camping with pets during warmer months, campers should be aware of biting flies that can affect both humans and animals. Both locations maintain clean restroom facilities and provide fire pits at individual sites. Located within reasonable driving distance from Deerfield, these pet-friendly options offer the opportunity to enjoy Lake Michigan's shoreline or inland lake recreation with your four-legged companions.
"They are busy but spots are large and neighbors are not close by. Lots of kids. Great for families and pet friendly."
"Driving into rural northern IL felt like leaving the craziness behind. I brought my dog to an animal-friendly area of the beach, which was small and secluded."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"Lots of biking and walking trails and plenty of off trail paths that lead to unique clearings, bridges, etc."
"tucked alongside a bike and walking path that goes through a beautiful forest preserve. The path is gorgeous dipping through forested sections, open fields, and lilly pad covered ponds!"
from $45 - $60 / night
Check Availability"Very Friendly Staff I received warm welcome from nice staff at the entrance gate. Tent Campground is nicely tucked inside by the lake. Quit place night time I can hear fish jumping from the water."
"We biked around the campground during the days and took advantage of the adult only hot tub hours at night. It was a nice getaway from Chicago."
from $43 - $73 / night
Check Availability"The staff are super nice and the campground has great social distancing rules in place for the check-in shack and bathrooms."
"Half of them were in the Prairie and the other half was tucked into wonderfully private spots with burn pits and picnic tables. We hiked the trail and saw a mother deer feeding her 2 babies."
from $12 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Just outside of Chicago, we have been staying here for quick weekend trips and absolutely love the proximity to home."
"I always loved going to the parks in Illinois with my grandparents when I was little. They love hiking and nature and definitely got me interested in it also. I love them and miss them everyday."
from $20 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Great site, not far from Chicago, but feels well away from city life. Tent sites around rim of a lake. RV sites and cabins as well."
"What’s great about this location is the access to the miles and mile of MTB and hiking trails just out the front step of your campsite."
from $20 - $138 / night
Check Availability"*** reviewing as a baby/toddler camp family on the go :-) we chose the loop 11 was on because it was close to the path to the playgrounds and lakes plus bathrooms… avoid the first 2 sites from either end"
"Campsite is nice, we're pretty close to our neighbors but not as bad as other places I've been. Walking distance to a fishing dock!"
"It feels like you are in the middle of nowhere, but it is close to everything. "
"We can both drive to work and then come back to relax. Close to some great places for antiquing if you don't want to hike the trails or fish."
"In the Turner loop, the pit toilets are next to the path to the fishing pier, while the showers and full restrooms are between Turner and Fox den, there is a short path between sites 60& 61."
"You can hear whatever highway is nearby pretty clearly and constantly. But if you’re not looking for something super remote then it’s fine!"
GuideWe love private campsites, far enough away from other campers, yet close enough to amenities. We chose a walk in site #16 which was nice but I wish we chose one a bit further in. Bathrooms where very clean. Trails are great. Pet friendly - we brought our small, quiet dogs. Dog friendly restaurant right next to the camp site.
LegendMy first impression when I first arrived here was the overwhelming scent of a newly minted campground, what with the freshly laid gravel, the mint condition security gates, finely manicured and recently raked greenery (as it was October when we visited, it might be better described as brownery) surrounded by a fairly decent gated enclosure lined with perfectly pruned tall towering oaks. Upon arrival, you’ll find what looks to be a brand-spanking new log cabin office on the right after passing a seemingly freshly-minted activities center / community lodge complete with in-ground heated swimming pool and jacuzzi on the left.
Amenities? As you could guess, this pet-friendly 60-acre RV resort has all the attractions in spades from pickleball, playgrounds, volleyball, log pergola patio, full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water & sewage), picnic tables, fire pits, BBQ grills, wagon rides, river access, picnic areas, bathhouses w/ showers & restrooms, cable TV WiFi (pretty poor connection though), gaga ball, game room, community room, billiards table, playground, wet bar, tabletop shuffleboard, community living room with large screen TV, DVD player w/ DVD library, clubhouse, dog park, horseshoes, hot tub, covered pavilions with picnic tables, catch & release ponds, inflatable water toys, jumping pillow, laundr-O-mat, propane refueling station and dump station.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a handful: (1) This place isn’t EZ to find – for some reason, if you plug the campground into your GPS, you’ll literally be on the wrong side of the tracks, where you will arrive at a dead end with a sign that says you are in the wrong place and that you’ll need to double-back, cross the train tracks heading north and turn right just before arriving to High Road School of Belvidere (so if you see a school, you’ve gone too far); (2) You will want to take note that yes, you actually cross train tracks to get to this campground, so if you’re sharp, you’re going to want to ensure you haven’t booked a site right next to where trains will shoot through every few hours, this specifically means avoiding sites #E1-#E5 and #FS23-#FS36 as well as #FE1-#FE20; (3) If you’re a tent camper, you can certainly stay here, but you will want to note that this is very much an RV outpost; (4) The best sites IMHO are those on the northernmost perimeter, as far away from the train tracks as you can get and that also border the Kishwaukee River with sites #S9-#S20 being excellent, as well as #S25-#S81, which are equally amazing; (5) If you are planning on using that amazing pool that you saw as you came in, make sure you call management a good day or two before you come in to ensure that they turn on the heater – when we were there for 2 days, by the time we left, the pool was still too cold to go for a dip; and (6) When you grow weary of trying to conjure up a meal from the depths of your Cordova roto-molded cooler and want to venture out to try some local fare, just a short walk into the nearby town is Garden Prairie Café, which has a very simple menu offering no shortage of fried everything (fish, shrimp, chicken, etc.) and then there’s Pleasant Street Tavern, but that’s mostly cheap national beers and frozen pizza fare, so if you want something a bit more substantive, head west of here to Miles Bar N’ Grill that serves up typical Midwestern fare like cheese curds, pork tenderloin, Italian beef and a variety of fried fish like blue gill, cod and catfish.
Happy Camping!
RangerI was here for three months this time as i get to business completed. The park was still kept up very nicely and this time I was here long enough to be able to see how. The grass is mowed every week. There is patroling at all hours for security. The laundry machines are great the dryers ore good. The dog park is clean and secure. The lake is natural and kept free of litter and garbage. The park is much bigger than i thought it was last year. The store has many items you may need. The showers are cleaned and work great. The camp water is high in Iron. The pot roads need service as thay do have a lot of pot holes. Good thing for the 5mph speed limit.
TravelerFriendly staff who were quick to respond to any issues. Partial hookups (sewer just outside of park behind hotel). $46/night (+fees) for a pull-through spot. Pet-friendly. Pleasant park with good pad. Near busy road and shipping plant. No wi-fi found except at hotel. Good phone connection. Garbage cans throughout park. Minutes from I & M Canal entrance on Houbolt and from JJC and I-80.
ScoutStaff was polite and helpful. They escort you to your spot. They hand out activity sheets for the weekend. Petting zoo, camp store, pool, lake/pond for swimming and fishing. Cell signal for ATT just one bar. No internet. Lots of full time residents. Lots of activities for kids. Pet friendly. They charge extra if you have visitors.
ScoutWe love camping here. It truly feels rural. Small shower house but water pressure is amazing. It’s always quiet and the view is beautiful. Bugs were awful this stay. They are busy but spots are large and neighbors are not close by. Lots of kids. Great for families and pet friendly.
RangerFor years, this was our go-to campground for weekend nearby adventures. Over the years, the price has increased and at $30 per site for non-residents, it's a bit steep for tent camping for me (so I left off a star rating). All sites are electric, so if you are tent camping and want your fan or slow-cooker, then it's as good as it gets in the burbs. It's located in a beautiful wooded Dupage County Forest preserve. While the sites are pretty close together, there are a few good ones that feel more secluded. Designated chip bark tent sites are level. The grounds are very well maintained. While I didn't camp here this year, I took these photos the last weekend in October to give everyone a sense of how nice this campground could be for them. My favorite sites over the years were the ones closest to Silver Lake along the South Loop road because those sites have the best views. For privacy, my favorite site is #27 on the north loop road which makes you feel like you are alone in the woods. Other than plenty of hiking options including a big hill, the fishing is outstanding. There are lots of places along the lake and ponds to get an easy catch and release. There is also archery, a dog park, picnic areas, boat rental/ramp, and a compass course. It is a great place for families. I've brought cub scouts here and my kids' friends. Heads-up that sites 21 & 22 may not be able to see traffic on the busy Winfield Rd in the summer, but you will still hear it at those sites.
ScoutI reserved 5 nights, paid in full. After just one night, management cancelled my stay because my service dogs(Maltese) supposedly barked. I was fully cooperative, kept them quiet, and even documented this in emails. There was a stray cat near my RV that caused the issue, but instead of solving it, they forced me to leave. No refund for 4 nights. This is unfair, discriminatory, and against ADA law.
RangerNice large sites. gravel spot for arc/trailer. fire pit and picnic table. trails for hiking are nice, but the overall camping area isn’t very big. 100 sites only. 30 with electric. this was the first time all season that the bugs Annoyed us. the beach is about 10 feet of sand off a busy road and is not pet friendly. nice spot to stay if you want to avoid paying lake Geneva prices for a room.
Illinois camping options near Deerfield vary widely in both terrain and accommodations, with most sites situated between 650-750 feet above sea level. Late summer camping often brings high humidity with temperatures in the mid-80s, while ticks remain active until the first frost. Many campgrounds in this region maintain extensive trail systems connected to larger forest preserves.
Fishing options: Fish Lake Beach Camping Resort offers a small but picturesque lake perfect for casual anglers. "The lake is beautiful and surprisingly picturesque as it is all nature preserve on the opposite side," notes camper Chloe N. The campground store sells fishing supplies for those who arrive unprepared.
Mountain biking trails: Camp Bullfrog Lake features extensive single-track trails directly accessible from campsites. "The mountain bike trails were awesome. If you're a trail rider, you must stay here. The lack of shade won't matter because you'll be riding all day," explains Tim K. The trail system accommodates riders of all skill levels with multiple route options.
Archery practice: Blackwell Family Campground maintains a free archery range open to campers. "Canoe rentals and free archery range," mentions Christian V. The range provides a unique activity option when taking breaks from hiking the surrounding trails.
Exceptionally clean facilities: Shower buildings at many campgrounds receive regular maintenance. At Camp Reinberg, "Bathrooms and showers decent. Would definitely stay here again if outside of Chicago area!" reports Nomad Nurse Z. Many campers note the cleanliness extends to all common areas.
Fire pit setups: Most campgrounds provide well-designed fire rings with cooking grates. At Turner Lake South, "Fire pits are slightly raised steel troughs with a heavy adjustable grill," describes Brian O. This design allows for both campfires and cooking over open flames.
Proximity to Chicago: Campgrounds in this area serve as quick escapes from urban environments. "We like to take midweek camping trips to break up the work week," shares Josh M. about Camp Bullfrog Lake. Many sites can be reached within 30-60 minutes from northern Chicago suburbs.
Tick and mosquito preparation: Insect protection remains essential at most campgrounds in the region. "We were camping here right in the middle of fall. The leaves were changing and our site was near the lake... Adult beverages must be in a solo cup," notes Ken about Turner Lake South. Bug repellent with DEET offers the most reliable protection.
Alcohol policies vary: Many county and state parks prohibit alcohol consumption. "This gets 4 stars because you cannot put down a mat outside," mentions Kaitlin M. about Paul Wolff Campground, where alcohol policies are strictly enforced along with other regulations.
Wildlife encounters: Raccoons actively scavenge at night in most campgrounds. "The second it's dusky, they come scavenging for absolutely anything food has touched. So basically, eat dinner and do s'mores early, then everything must be packed into cars for the night and all surfaces wiped down," advises Meg about Turner Lake South.
Best shower facilities: For families needing reliable bathrooms, certain campgrounds stand out. "The shower facilities were clean and the staff very friendly," reports Laura Z. about Camp Reinberg. Families with small children should consider proximity to bathroom facilities when selecting sites.
Playground access: Several dog-friendly campgrounds near Deerfield include dedicated play areas. At Turner Lake South, "There is a park for the kids in several areas," states Meg K. These playgrounds provide entertainment between scheduled activities.
Nature programs: Ranger-led activities occur regularly at some pet-friendly sites. "Take your bikes along big park with a lot of trails. Beach was nice," recommends Rose T. at Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park. Check with park offices about scheduled programs during your stay.
Electric hookup placements: RV campers should research specific site layouts before booking. "Water was at central locations and a dump is on the way out. We prefer more brush/trees between sites so this campground was just ok with us," explains Art S. about Fox Den Campground.
Campground layout considerations: Site spacing varies significantly between campgrounds. "Sites are pretty close to each other, but neighbors were quiet. Beautiful little lake. Bathrooms were warm and clean," reports Lawrence B. about Camp Bullfrog Lake. Most RV campsites include 30 or 50-amp electric service, but water and sewer connections are less common.
Reservation timing: Popular pet-friendly campgrounds near Deerfield book quickly during peak seasons. "This campground fills up quickly on the weekends over the summer," warns Marisa A. regarding Turner Lake South. Making reservations 3-6 months in advance provides the best site selection, especially for holiday weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Deerfield, IL?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Deerfield, IL is Adeline Jay-Geo Karis Illinois Beach State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 67 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Deerfield, IL?
TheDyrt.com has all 41 dog-friendly camping locations near Deerfield, IL, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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